Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots

Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes is one of New Orleans' most celebrated multi-instrumentalists and culture bearers, a master accordionist, harmonica player, and bandleader who has spent three decades developing what he calls "Afro-Louisiana" music, blending blues, zydeco, gospel, and Caribbean and African rhythms into a sound rooted in Louisiana but open to the world. Born in Benton, Arkansas, and raised on the blues harmonica tradition of his father, Barnes came to New Orleans by way of a career as an NFL player with the Kansas City Chiefs, and later as a 30-year National Park Service ranger at the Jean Lafitte National Park and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. He is the Big Chief of the Northside Skull and Bones Gang, one of the oldest Black Carnival groups in the city, a second-line parading member of Black Men of Labor, and co-author of Talk That Music Talk, a celebrated book on New Orleans brass band tradition featuring over 300 of his own photographs. He has toured with Sting and Paul Simon, performed in over 50 countries, and released six albums with the Louisiana Sunspots. Full bar on-site. No check-in required. Entry is free, with standing room and some seating at first come, first serve basis. Doors open at 9 pm. Join us in Good Measure. Come for the music. Stay for the night.